Why We Need to Get Passionate About Waste!

10 October 2024

By Pravind Singh, Sustainable Business Improvement Manager, Total Utilities

While waste may not be high on glamour-factor, it certainly has a major impact on the environment and your business’s bottom line.

That’s why we need to get passionate about opportunities to achieve meaningful change through innovative, practical, and cost effective waste and recycling practices.

As Total Utilities’ Sustainable Business Improvement Manager, I’ve seen a growing trend where clients and businesses’ potential partners—such as those awarding tenders—are increasingly choosing companies that prioritise environmentally responsible practices.

That’s why we focus on making waste management simpler, more cost-effective, and closely aligned with our clients’ sustainability goals. Our approach turns waste into an opportunity– meeting the increasing demand for accurate reporting and carbon emissions reduction.

At Total Utilities, our goal is to transform waste management into a strategic advantage for your business through:

  • Cost Savings: Helping you cut waste costs from day one.
  • Operational efficiency: Simplify waste handling and reporting to save both time and inconvenience.
  • Sustainability: Boosting recycling and green practices for positive environmental outcomes.

Results that Speak for Themselves

The impact of our work is truly rewarding. For example, we recently helped Mitre 10 with a large-scale waste and recycling project, leading to significant savings and streamlined operations. Here’s a snippet from their glowing recommendation:

“Partnering once again after our successful initial waste and recycling project in 2020 is a testament to the consistently high standards of Total Utilities… The impact of this project extends beyond mere savings; it has also enabled us to streamline operations and introduce sustainable solutions on a national scale.” — Vinay Linus, Head of Indirect Procurement, Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Ltd. Full testimonial here.

Another recent testimonial comes from Dilworth who we helped achieve a whopping 43% reduction in waste costs, effectively transforming their waste management practices. Read the full testimonial here.

Other examples include consolidating waste services for a major hotel group, saving $105,000 annually (21% reduction), and centralising waste procurement for a NZ bakery, achieving $27,842 in annual savings (15% reduction).

The list goes on…

Our Waste Services

Here’s how we can support your financial and sustainability objectives:

  • Waste Procurement and RFP Bid Process: We analyse your current services and secure competitive proposals, reducing costs and aligning with your sustainability goals.
  • Smart Waste Audits: Detailed site analysis and tailored recommendations, including hands-on education and senior management collaboration, to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
  • Clear Reporting: Intuitive tools provide clear insights into your waste data, enabling informed decisions that save time and cut costs.
  • Tailored Waste and Recycling Solutions: We source and select the best waste and recycling options, ensuring competitive rates and high-quality service.

It’s time to get passionate about waste, people! The opportunities to do better for the planet, while saving you time, money, and hassle in the process are endless. It feels good to do something worthwhile.


  • Get in touch today to discuss how we can help you reduce costs and meet your sustainability goals.